It is the policy of Georgia Perimeter College to communicate openly and
truthfully with the media and in accordance with open record laws at all times concerning
all College programs, policies, procedures, activities, administrative
decisions, events, and occurrences on campus, whether emergencies or
non-emergencies in nature.

PROCEDURE

I.The following procedures
are to be observed in communication with the media.

Designated
Spokesperson - The President or the Director of Public Relations
serve as official spokespersons for the college. At the discretion of the
president, other individuals may also be designated as spokespersons.

Calls From the
Media - Switchboard operators should direct all media calls to the
Office of Public Relations. When appropriate, other college officials may
respond to media inquiries pertinent to those areas for which they have
direct responsibility. Officials who are not able to inform the Office of
Public Relations in advance when responding to the media should do so
immediately following the conversation or interview.

Statements to the
Media - Statements regarding policies, procedures, practices,
administrative decisions or events which have the potential for negative
impact upon the college should be cleared with the Office of Public
Relations or the Office of the President.

Responsibilities - The
Director of Public Relations is responsible for providing accurate,
current information to the media, keeping the administration informed,
assembling and verifying information, and dealing with the press in
person or by telephone, and arranging for statements, interviews, and
photographs as necessary. These duties should not be carried out by any
other individual or office of the college without clearance by the
President or Public Relations Director.

Public Relations
Impact - Because of their potential effect on the image of the
College, the Office of Public Relations should be informed of
administrative decisions and changes in College policies and procedures
through the receipt of the minutes of the Executive Team meetings and
copies of revised policies and procedures which appear in the
Administrative Policy Manual. The Office of Public Relations also should
be informed by the President, Vice Presidents, Provosts, Deans of Student
Services, Directors of Student Activities, and the Director of Protective
Services about planned or unplanned protests or disruptions, civil
disturbances, unauthorized occupancy of campus areas, and news about
Georgia Perimeter College administrators, faculty, staff, students or
alumni which may attract either positive or negative media attention.

Media Coverage - College
administrators, deans, department chairs, faculty members and admissions
and student services personnel should assume responsibility for informing
the Public Relations Office about events, and activities which should be
brought to the attention of the media.

I. Persons who wish to obtain news media coverage
of an event should work with the Office of Public Relations in making the
desired arrangements.

II. In addition to the procedures listed above,
the following steps should be taken in case of an emergency, protests, civil
disturbances or happenings of a negative nature involving Georgia Perimeter
College employees, students or alumni.

A.Definition
of Emergencies - An emergency is any situation which affects the safety or
property of Georgia Perimeter College or which may have a negative impact on
the image of the College. Emergencies include but are not limited to fires or
explosions on campus, disasters occurring adjacent to a Georgia Perimeter
College campus or center, inclement weather or natural disasters, criminal
activities, accidents involving serious personal injury, death or property
damage, environmental crises or any event requiring shutdown of campus
facilities.

B.Reporting
of Emergencies, Disturbances, or Negative News -When an emergency occurs
during normal working hours, the Office of the President and the Office of
Public Relations should be notified immediately by Protective Services, the
campus Provost or head of the unit involved. If an emergency which may warrant
media interest occurs outside normal working hours, the President and the
Director of Public Relations should be notified at home immediately. If the
President cannot be reached, the Vice President in charge should be contacted.
If the Director of Public Relations cannot be reached, the senior publications
specialist should be called.

C.Communication
of Information Concerning Emergencies - As appropriate, the President or
the Director of Public Relations will notify the following offices of
individuals: